"Well, I reckon he'll have the hardest time of his life getting us, though," the leader answered. "But I'll ride over, anyhow and try and find out something. Told you to tell any outlaws you met that he was after them, eh, Chuck?" "Yes; that's right, Cap." "Well, we'll see about that. I won't be long in findin' out what he's up to. If he gets through Forbidden Pass without paying toll he's got to be a good one, that's all. His life will probably be the price demanded for toll, too. I reckon that's what I'll make it." After a few minutes further conversation on the subject the leader of the gang, who was posing as an honest business man in Silver Bend, left the cave, leading his horse out under the curtain that was rolled up by one of the men for him. He rode along in the direction of the little mining camp at an easy gait, and in a short time he reached the end of the pass. He paused long enough to see that the sign he had himself painted was in place, and then he made for the saloon, never once thinking that there was any one so close by watching his movements. Cap Roche was well known in Big Bonanza, and he was satisfied that no one dreamed that he was anything else but an honest man. He made up his mind to tell the miners that he had decided to ride through the pass just for the purpose of finding out if the outlaws were still there. "I'll have no trouble in making them think that it is safe to go through now," he muttered, as he rode up to the saloon. Dismounting, he entered the shanty and found the biggest part of the population gathered there. "Hello, boys!" he called out, familiarly. "How are you all? I took a notion to ride over to-night through Forbidden Pass. I did not let the notion get out of my head, and came right away. How is business, anyway?" Several of the men hastened to shake hands with him, and soon a lively conversation was taking place. "So yer come through ther pass, eh?" observed Hoker, after there came a lull. "A putty risky thing ter do, I reckon." "Well, I don't know. You see, I have had the place watched pretty closely the last few days, and not the least sign of any one has been discovered there. I feel that the outlaws, if there were any there, have left for some other parts." Just then Cap Roche happened to set eyes on Hop Wah, who was sitting at a table, showing half a dozen miners some tricks with a pack of cards. "Hello! You've got a heathen here, eh?" he exclaimed. "When did he strike here!" "Late this afternoon, Cap," answered Hoker. "He's a great Chinee, too. He's a sleight-of-hand feller, an' he kin handle dice an' cards any way he wants ter. A man don't stand no more show winnin' from him than he does walkin' on air." "Ah! He must be a curious sort of a heathen, then. Did he come here alone?" "Oh, no. He come here with Young Wild West. You've heard of him, I reckon?" "Yes, I believe I have. A sort of dashing young fellow, who can shoot well, isn't he?"